Ghost

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia:

In folklore, fiction, philosophy and popular culture, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person, taken to be capable of appearing in visible form or otherwise manifesting itself to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely and the mode of manifestation can range from an invisible presence to translucent or wispy shapes, to realistic, life-like visions. The deliberate attempt to contact the spirit of a deceased person is known as necromancy or in spiritualism as a séance.

The belief in manifestations of the spirits of the dead is widespread, dating back to animism or ancestor worship in pre-literate cultures. Certain religious practices such as funeral rites, exorcisms, and some practices of spiritualism and ritual magic are specifically designed to appease the spirits of the dead. Ghosts are generally described as solitary essences that haunt particular locations, objects, or people with which they were associated in life, though stories of phantom armies, ghost trains, phantom ships and even ghost animals have also been recounted.

Equipment and methods

Ghost hunters use a variety of tools and techniques to investigate alleged paranormal activity. While there is no universal acceptance among ghost hunters of the following methodologies, a number of these are commonly utilized by ghost hunting groups.

• Still photography and video: using digital, night vision, infrared, and even disposable cameras.
• EMF meter: to detect possibly unexplained fluctuations in electromagnetic fields.
• Ambient temperature measurement: using thermographic cameras, thermal imaging cameras, infrared thermometers, and other infrared temperature sensors.
• Digital and analog audio recording: to capture any unexplained noises and electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), that may be interpreted as disembodied voices.
• Geiger counter: to measure fluctuations in radiation.
• Ion meters: to detect an excess of negative ions.
• Infrared and/or ultrasonic motion sensors: to detect possible anomalous movement within a given area, or to assist in creating a controlled environment where any human movement is detected.
• Air quality monitoring equipment: to assess the levels of gases such a carbon monoxide, which are thought contribute to reports of paranormal activity.
• Infrasound monitoring equipment: to assess the level of sound vibrations.
• Dowsing rods: usually constructed of brass and bent into an L-shape.
• Psychics, mediums, or clairvoyants: trance mediums or "sensitive" individuals thought to have the ability to identify and make contact with spiritual entities.
• Demonologists, exorcists, or other members of clergy: individuals who may say prayers, give blessings, or perform rituals for the purpose of cleansing a location of alleged ghosts, demons, poltergeists, or "negative energy."
• Lights out: According to ghost-hunting enthusiast websites, many ghost hunters prefer to conduct their investigations during "peak" evening hours (midnight to 4 a.m.).
• Interviews: to collect testimony and accounts from witnesses.

USA Ghost Information and Paranormal Research

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